Steinbeck uses the character of candy in mice and men to express that people were shunned and neglected once they were past working condition this is shown when candy’s dog is shot by Carlson and he says “he’s all stiff with rheumatism. He ain’t no good to you. An he ain’t no good to himself.” This uses symbolism to show that once you are passed your expiration date in 1930s America you were of no use to anyone like candy and this is told by Carlson when he says that the dog was no use to anyone just like his owner . This also shiws through candys unpopularity on the ranch as he is too old to do manual Labour and is ignored significantly this contrasts with the popularity of slim who is respected due to his skills at the job and praised even by candy himself. This makes the reader feel empathy for candy as he is old and weak yet ignored which is the opposite to today’s society were the old and fragile are looked after showing the harshness of america during the depression.